Strange Days Indeed
Few young actors have made as indelible a mark on the industry as Millie Bobby Brown. Rising to international fame as Eleven in Netflix’s Stranger Things, Brown has spent nearly a decade in the spotlight, evolving from a child prodigy into a multifaceted star. Now 21, she has successfully navigated Hollywood’s complexities, branching into producing, beauty entrepreneurship and even authorship, all while carefully managing her public persona.
Across leading roles in Enola Holmes—the third instalment of which just completed filming in June—and Godzilla vs. Kong, her résumé reflects both talent and ambition, and she has the persona to back it up, as well as harvesting alternative careers: She founded the clean beauty brand Florence by Mills, has written her debut novel Nineteen Steps, and is a fierce advocate for privacy and mental health awareness.
With Stranger Things nearing its climactic final season and an exciting slate of new projects on the horizon, Brown sits down to discuss fame, storytelling and the challenges of growing up in the public eye.Article continues below
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You’ve practically grown up in front of the world. How do you reflect on that journey?
It’s been surreal. I look back at myself at 12 years old, stepping onto the set of Stranger Things, and I had no idea what was coming. I didn’t understand the weight of it. Now, at 21, I feel like I’ve lived so many different versions of myself in such a short time. Fame forces you to grow up fast, but I’ve had amazing people around me—my family, my [husband] Jake and a great team—to keep me grounded.
You’ve spoken before about setting boundaries with fame. How do you protect your privacy?
I’ve learned to say no. When I was younger, I thought I had to be available to everyone all the time. But as I got older, I realized that my life, my relationships, my quiet moments—they belong to me. Social media can be overwhelming, so I take breaks, limit what I share, and remind myself that I don’t owe the world every detail of my life.
Your book from 2023, Nineteen Steps, was a departure from acting. What inspired you to write it?
It was a very personal project. My grandmother’s stories about growing up during World War II fascinated me. She lived through air raids, loss and resilience, and I wanted to honor her experience. Writing was cathartic—I felt like I was bringing her memories to life in a way that people could connect with.
What excites you most about your upcoming projects?
There’s so much happening! Obviously, Stranger Things season five is huge—it’s emotional because it’s the last one. My goal is to work on new film projects that challenge me in different ways. I’m excited to step into roles that push me beyond what people expect from me.
How do you feel about Stranger Things coming to an end?
It’s bittersweet. I’ve spent almost half my life with this cast and crew—they’re my second family. Saying goodbye will be tough, but I’m ready to move forward and see what’s next. You have to be that way as an actor. If you get stuck on the same project, it will eventually kill you!
You also had The Electric State this year, which was a very different project for you. What excited you most about it?
The world of the film is so visually striking, but what really drew me in was the emotional depth of the story. It’s a dystopian sci-fi adventure, but at its core, it’s about human connection, grief and resilience. I love stories that balance spectacle with strong character-driven narratives, and this one does that in such a unique way. [My character] Michelle is searching for something beyond just survival—she’s looking for meaning in a world that feels like it’s falling apart. That emotional core really resonated with me. Plus, getting to work with the Russo brothers again and bring this incredible graphic novel to life was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
How do you connect with a character on a journey through a crumbling world?
Michelle is incredibly strong, but what I love about her is that she’s not a typical hero—she’s scared, she’s vulnerable and she’s constantly questioning herself. Yet despite everything she’s lost, she keeps pushing forward. I think a lot of people will relate to that feeling of having to find strength when everything feels uncertain. I tried to bring a lot of raw emotion to the role because, yes, she’s in this dystopian setting, but her struggles and battles with loss, love, determination—that sort of thing—are very human.
You worked with the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joseph, on The Electric State. What are they like to work with?
They have such a strong vision as directors, but what I love about working with them is that they really trust their actors. They create this space where you feel free to explore the character, to try things, to really bring something personal to the role. That’s rare, especially in films where there’s so much world-building happening. They’re also just great collaborators—they genuinely listen and want to make the best story possible.
Away from film, you’ve been open about mental health and self-care. What practices keep you balanced?
Therapy has been a game-changer for me. A lot of that has come from journalling, which inspired the book I wrote in 2023. I know it was published and all that, but a lot of what I write is essentially done for myself. It’s my own therapy. That and spending time with my dogs, getting outside and staying off my phone!
Across leading roles in Enola Holmes—the third instalment of which just completed filming in June—and Godzilla vs. Kong, her résumé reflects both talent and ambition, and she has the persona to back it up, as well as harvesting alternative careers: She founded the clean beauty brand Florence by Mills, has written her debut novel Nineteen Steps, and is a fierce advocate for privacy and mental health awareness.
With Stranger Things nearing its climactic final season and an exciting slate of new projects on the horizon, Brown sits down to discuss fame, storytelling and the challenges of growing up in the public eye.
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You’ve practically grown up in front of the world. How do you reflect on that journey?
It’s been surreal. I look back at myself at 12 years old, stepping onto the set of Stranger Things, and I had no idea what was coming. I didn’t understand the weight of it. Now, at 21, I feel like I’ve lived so many different versions of myself in such a short time. Fame forces you to grow up fast, but I’ve had amazing people around me—my family, my [husband] Jake and a great team—to keep me grounded.
You’ve spoken before about setting boundaries with fame. How do you protect your privacy?
I’ve learned to say no. When I was younger, I thought I had to be available to everyone all the time. But as I got older, I realized that my life, my relationships, my quiet moments—they belong to me. Social media can be overwhelming, so I take breaks, limit what I share, and remind myself that I don’t owe the world every detail of my life.
Your book from 2023, Nineteen Steps, was a departure from acting. What inspired you to write it?
It was a very personal project. My grandmother’s stories about growing up during World War II fascinated me. She lived through air raids, loss and resilience, and I wanted to honor her experience. Writing was cathartic—I felt like I was bringing her memories to life in a way that people could connect with.
What excites you most about your upcoming projects?
There’s so much happening! Obviously, Stranger Things season five is huge—it’s emotional because it’s the last one. My goal is to work on new film projects that challenge me in different ways. I’m excited to step into roles that push me beyond what people expect from me.
How do you feel about Stranger Things coming to an end?
It’s bittersweet. I’ve spent almost half my life with this cast and crew—they’re my second family. Saying goodbye will be tough, but I’m ready to move forward and see what’s next. You have to be that way as an actor. If you get stuck on the same project, it will eventually kill you!
You also had The Electric State this year, which was a very different project for you. What excited you most about it?
The world of the film is so visually striking, but what really drew me in was the emotional depth of the story. It’s a dystopian sci-fi adventure, but at its core, it’s about human connection, grief and resilience. I love stories that balance spectacle with strong character-driven narratives, and this one does that in such a unique way. [My character] Michelle is searching for something beyond just survival—she’s looking for meaning in a world that feels like it’s falling apart. That emotional core really resonated with me. Plus, getting to work with the Russo brothers again and bring this incredible graphic novel to life was just an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.
How do you connect with a character on a journey through a crumbling world?
Michelle is incredibly strong, but what I love about her is that she’s not a typical hero—she’s scared, she’s vulnerable and she’s constantly questioning herself. Yet despite everything she’s lost, she keeps pushing forward. I think a lot of people will relate to that feeling of having to find strength when everything feels uncertain. I tried to bring a lot of raw emotion to the role because, yes, she’s in this dystopian setting, but her struggles and battles with loss, love, determination—that sort of thing—are very human.
You worked with the Russo brothers, Anthony and Joseph, on The Electric State. What are they like to work with?
They have such a strong vision as directors, but what I love about working with them is that they really trust their actors. They create this space where you feel free to explore the character, to try things, to really bring something personal to the role. That’s rare, especially in films where there’s so much world-building happening. They’re also just great collaborators—they genuinely listen and want to make the best story possible.
Away from film, you’ve been open about mental health and self-care. What practices keep you balanced?
Therapy has been a game-changer for me. A lot of that has come from journalling, which inspired the book I wrote in 2023. I know it was published and all that, but a lot of what I write is essentially done for myself. It’s my own therapy. That and spending time with my dogs, getting outside and staying off my phone!
What’s the best advice you’ve received?
“Stay true to yourself.” It sounds simple, but in this industry, people will try to shape you into what they think you should be. I’ve learned that I have to trust my instincts, follow my passions and define success on my own terms.
Having grown up in the public eye, how do you handle constant attention?
It’s definitely been a learning curve. I’ve been in the industry since I was really young, so I’ve had to figure out how to separate my personal life from my public persona. I think the key is not letting outside opinions define you. People will always have something to say, whether it’s good or bad, and if you get caught up in trying to please everyone, you’ll lose yourself. So I just focus on what actually matters—my work, my family, my close friends. The rest is just noise.
Social media plays such a huge role in celebrity culture. Do you ever feel pressure to maintain a certain image?
Definitely, and I think that’s true for everyone, not just people in the public eye. Social media can be an amazing way to connect with fans and share things you’re passionate about, but it can also feel like there’s this expectation to always look perfect or have everything figured out. At the end of the day, I want to be authentic. Surely we all need to focus on that—be yourself!
“Stay true to yourself.” It sounds simple, but in this industry, people will try to shape you into what they think you should be. I’ve learned that I have to trust my instincts, follow my passions and define success on my own terms.
Having grown up in the public eye, how do you handle constant attention?
It’s definitely been a learning curve. I’ve been in the industry since I was really young, so I’ve had to figure out how to separate my personal life from my public persona. I think the key is not letting outside opinions define you. People will always have something to say, whether it’s good or bad, and if you get caught up in trying to please everyone, you’ll lose yourself. So I just focus on what actually matters—my work, my family, my close friends. The rest is just noise.
Social media plays such a huge role in celebrity culture. Do you ever feel pressure to maintain a certain image?
Definitely, and I think that’s true for everyone, not just people in the public eye. Social media can be an amazing way to connect with fans and share things you’re passionate about, but it can also feel like there’s this expectation to always look perfect or have everything figured out. At the end of the day, I want to be authentic. Surely we all need to focus on that—be yourself!
Author: Evan Jameson
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